AMARANTH/RAJGIRA PAYASAM made easily in a pressure cooker. Jump to Recipe Print Recipe This delicious, one pot south Indian dessert uses a nutritious and gluten free pseudo grain called amaranth or rajgira seeds in a jaggery sweetened, coconut milk creamy base. With lots of nuts and raisins along with the hue of freshly ground cardamom seeds to flavor the whole, mouthwatering pudding like dessert, this is one payasam you would like to make again and again! So, easy to make, this easy payasam (or kheer like it is called in the northern part of India), is perfect to enjoy as a delicious sweet treat during Diwali/Navratri or any other get together, party, or any religious gathering as a prasad/offering to God. It tastes so good and is so easy to make, it definitely goes into my “must have dessert” list to look into whenever I am craving for something delicious, quick and so healthy too…overall a guilt-free treat! All you need is a pressure cooker (stove top or electric Instant pot) to hasten the whole process. This can be made easily in a stove top saucepan too; just takes a bit longer.
WHAT ARE AMARANTH SEEDS ?
Amaranth seed is a gluten free “psuedocereal” (rather than an actual grain) like quinoa, buckwheat, chia seeds etc. They almost look like poppy seeds but are way healthier and wholesome! It is cooked almost like rice, quinoa, oats etc., has a nutty taste yet crunchy texture when cooked and enjoyed in sweet as well as savory dishes. This super food is packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, proteins and lots of fiber that you must add it to your diet more often. I have always grown up enjoying amaranth leaves in curries and stir fries but using these seeds for the first time! Unlike quinoa or even barley, they will not puff up too much but be almost like coarse semolina when cooked properly.
PRESSURE COOKER AMARANTH/RAJGIRA PAYASAM
Making this payasam or coconut milk kheer in a pressure cooker (can be either stove top pressure cooker or electric Instant Pot) is my way of getting to enjoy this dessert super fast! All you need to do is pressure cook in some water for just 5 minutes, sweeten with your favorite sweetener (mine is jaggery/unrefined cane sugar) and stir in some coconut milk (fresh or canned). Adding some freshly ground green cardamom powder and topped with roasted nuts and raisins (preferable ghee roasted but oil roasted if vegan is perfectly fine) is the icing on the cake so to say! Enjoy warm or piping hot!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED:
Amaranth Seeds – easily available in most store or online nowadays. You can soak them overnight or even for a few hours which aids in digestion and helps in the body absorbing nutrients faster but you can skip if you are in a hurry. Jaggery – I love using this to sweeten most of my Indian desserts especially if they are south Indian, but you can use brown sugar, plain sugar or even coconut sugar too! Coconut milk – I love to stock up on cans of coconut milk to make cooking in a jiffy but you can use freshly made coconut milk too which is always the best. Cardamom powder – nothing beats the aroma of freshly ground green cardamom seeds but if you want to use the store bought ones, it is perfectly fine too. Nuts and raisins – I have used cashew nuts and black raisins. You can use almonds (slivered or chopped) instead. As far as raisins go, black or golden; both are good. These are optional but adds a wonderful texture to the payasam. Oil and/or ghee - use oil if vegan but most Indian desserts get their oomph in taste and flavor from ghee/clarified butter! So, use your favorite choice.
Do try and make this easy, peasy yet super delicious AMARANTH OR RAJGIRA PAYASAM either in a pressure cooker or even in a stove top saucepan. You are going to love it and it is the perfect dessert to serve at festivals, like Diwali and Navratri, family or friends’ gatherings, as prasad during any religious festivals or even if it is just to indulge yourself with a delicious and decadent healthy dessert! If you love payasams, especially the coconut milk based one, then you must try my Quinoa Payasam and Barley Payasam too! Enjoy Foodies and Happy Cooking/Eating! If you like my posts and recipes, do not forget to Pin, Share, comment in the box below or like my Facebook page For more such easy and delicious recipes, follow me on: Facebook @ curryandvanilla Pinterest @ curryandvanilla Instagram @ curryandvanilla16 Twitter @ curryandvanilla Google Plus @ Vanitha Bhat Have fun cooking, eating and sharing!!!!
